To find the World Cup's Cinderellas, we have to start with the group stage
Uzbekistan, Jordan, <a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/05/10/nx-s1-5796264/cape-verde-tiny-nation-massive-world-cup-dream" target="_blank">Cape Verde</a> and <a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/11/19/nx-s1-5614157/curacao-to-cape-verde-small-nations-make-big-world-cup-history" target="_blank">Curacao</a> are making their World Cup debut. Meanwhile, Scotland, South Africa, Canada, and New Zealand (just to name a few) have never made it past the group stage.
Uzbekistan, Jordan, Cape Verde and Curacao are making their World Cup debut. Meanwhile, Scotland, South Africa, Canada, and New Zealand (just to name a few) have never made it past the group stage.
This article was originally published at: https://www.npr.org/2026/06/09/g-s1-127007/soccer-edition...